March 14, 2025

Dear Peachtree Road Family,

I hope you are well. Our Lenten season has gotten off to a good start with a host of special offerings: worship services, Bible studies, and opportunities for service in the community. During these 40 days of devotion, we are reading and studying together Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, and last week in worship we hit upon Paul’s theme for the entire letter:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” – Romans 1:16

In the coming weeks we will be the power of the gospel to address the problem of sin in our world and to point the way toward salvation and a deeper faith. The reality is that none of us is exempt from the sudden storms that come into our lives and leave us disoriented – an unexpected health challenge, a financial setback, a crisis at home, or even a worldwide health pandemic. Some believe that experiencing these is a sign that our faith has let us down. However, Paul wants us to know that the hard times can become a springboard to a fresh encounter with Christ. The key is to lean even more fully into our faith. That’s what we’re learning to do this season, and I am grateful that we are on this journey together.

This Sunday I will be in Athens to preach at the First United Methodist Church where I was the senior minister for 11 years before coming to Peachtree Road UMC. They are celebrating the church’s bicentennial (that church is only 100 years older than ours!). In my absence, Rev. Josh Miles will be preaching a message entitled “The Line Between Good and Evil.” His sermon will identify the problem of sin (“…since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” – Romans 3:23) and God’s gracious provision for us (“they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…” – Romans 3:24). I hope you will read Romans 3:21-27 in preparation for Josh’s message.

The hymns will be very familiar (“Guide Me, O thou Great Jehovah” and “Lord, I Want to Be a Christian”), and the Chancel Choir will offer Stephen Paulus’ arrangement of Michael Dennis Brown’s anthem “Pilgrim’s Hymn” as its anthem. In addition, the Doxology Youth Chorale will offer Victor Johnson’s arrangement of the hymn “Be Still and Know” as special music. Sunday will be a great day to be with your friends in worship at Peachtree Road. If you will be out of town, please worship via the livestream. 

Let me remind you about our special Midweek Worship services during Lent. In keeping with our ongoing celebration of our centennial, I have invited former associate ministers to preach at the Wednesday services at noon in the Moore Chapel during Lent. The lineup features some of your favorite former associate pastors:

March 19 – Phil Schroeder
March 26 – Beth Sanders		April 2 – Thomas Martin
April 9 – Carolyn Stephens

We began the series earlier this week with Betsy Lunz, and next Wednesday’s preacher is Phil Schroeder who currently serves as the senior minister of Dunwoody UMC. Please join us each Wednesday at noon during Lent for worship and stay for lunch immediately following in Grace Hall.

During this holy season of Lent, we as a congregation are engaging in seeking to make a difference in our community in a couple of important ways: 

  • Season of Service – a great way to serve others and make an impact in our community. You may find a list of projects and sign up here. Pick one and join your fellow members of Peachtree Road in being the hands and feet of Christ.
  • Lenten Offering – once again this year our special giving during the season of Lent will be used to support the agencies and ministries in the Greater Atlanta area with whom we partner. As you give up a couple of meals each week, consider giving the money you are saving to this offering. If each of us gives just $20 a week or $120 for the season, it would make a tremendous impact upon the lives of others. Please give through the church website here. 

Finally, are you new to Peachtree Road UMC and looking for ways to connect? Here are two opportunities to help you navigate this large church and find new connections:

  • Explore Membership in Peachtree Road UMC – Sunday, March 23, at 12:30 pm in the Hospitality Suite. At this month’s “Tea with the Clergy” luncheon, you will have the opportunity to meet with several members of our clergy staff, hear about the ministry of this great church, ask questions, and even have an opportunity to join at the end of the session. Please contact our director of evangelism and hospitality Brittany Charron at brittanyc@prumc.org for more information or to sign up.
  • Take a Tour of Peachtree Road’s Facilities – Sunday, March 30, at 10:00 am. Meet Brittany Charron in Heritage Hall for a tour of the campus and a brief overview of the church’s ministries and offerings. For more information, please contact Brittany Charron at brittanyc@prumc.org. 

I hope to see you soon as we journey together through the season of Lent.

Grace and peace, 

Bill